Nigeria lacks leaders with vision.
According to a research published yesterday by Citizen Commons Advocacy International, CCAI, Nigerians operate a system that rewards disloyal individuals with political appointments and posts while enabling the patriotic to lose ground.
The study also attributed the deteriorating security situation in the nation to political leaders.
In order to forward their own political agendas ahead of the general elections next year, it was claimed that desperate politicians were stoking division and violence.
The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oxfam International Nigeria, Impact Central Social Innovation Hub, National Youth Council of Nigeria, and Nigeria Youth Parliament helped to unveil the paper, titled “Report of the Youth Conversation for New Nigeria,” in Abuja (5th Session).
Olalekan Oshunkoya, the founder and chief executive of CCAI, explained that the report was the result of a nationwide consultation that included youth-led consultations, community town hall meetings, focus group discussions, and one-on-one interviews. The purpose of the consultation was to gather ideas, thoughts, and opinions from Nigerian youths in order to advance the narrative of the “New Nigeria.”
As the country prepares to elect new leaders in 2023, Oshunkoya addressed the concerns voiced by the youth. He claimed that if the political class had shown leadership, the nation would not have been forced into the situation it is currently in, where youths are hired as touts to disrupt peaceful political gatherings or elections.
“The input from young Nigerians illustrates how the youngsters are frustrated with the cavalier approach our administration displays over matters that are troubling to the majority of Nigerians,” he stated. among them, from job instability to education to job insecurity. The nation lacks imaginative and compassionate leaders who can articulate the demands of the common Nigerian and comprehend the suffering they are experiencing.
Politicians foster division and violence for political reasons. Politicians are cited by young Nigerians as a significant factor in the nation’s division. We have seen and heard our politicians during elections use the tribal and religious card to garner votes, which fuels animosity throughout the country in that state or community. In addition, the young express their dissatisfaction with the fact that most politicians use their campaign funds to sabotage peaceful protests or elections.
“How can there be unity when those in positions of authority and control are the ones responsible for upsetting our peace and harmony? If we really want to see togetherness, we need to confront this issue.
“The majority of Nigerians merely wish to “japa” to a foreign nation because of the greed of our leaders.
